View of Olympic Mountains, from the Budd, Puget Sound

Olympic Mountains seen from Docks at Boston Harbor Marina December 2013

see larger:

There is Beauty, even in a Natural Disaster

It may be perverse, but I think there may even be some beauty to be found in nightmare horror that is the terror of the multi-national corporation quest to find the environmental bottom. hahaha! not REALLY - except perhaps in limited circumstances like the one seen below in a photo by Richard Perry of the New York Times, who photographed this stunning image of the red crude fossil fuel petroleum as it has reached the surface of the Gulf of Mexico in the wake of the recent Deep Water Horizon major industrial disaster.

What a sad state of affairs. I think it is just plain wrong for anyone to profit from environmentally destructive activities.

update: p.s. NOT that this man-made volcano is a natural disaster... But it is a disaster, and this image is somewhat beautiful. Though there are plenty of disturbing and alarming images that are not beautiful. I have been impressed with ongoing coverage of this issue in the New York Times. Although I think that the paper, and the mainstream media in general, are not doing anywhere near enough to question the underlying root-causes of this disaster. I think questions need to be asked about industrialization and technology, and about how people are profiting from the most destructive, abusive and violent endeavors.


photo by Richard Perry, The New York Times

Almost Full Moon, Stencil Art on Wall, Near Artesian Well

This is near the artesian well in downtown Olympia. The Moon will be full this afternoon, at about 4pm local time (here in Oly.) It will be the Full Flower Moon.

Another Photo of the Olympia Rafah Mural

Olympia Rafah Mural

Obama, "War is Necessary" + Political Art on Display at the Northern

Recently, in a commencement address at a military school (West Point,) President Obama said that while war is abhorrent, that it is also "necessary". I see it differently.

I believe that war is only necessary because the USA has policies of taking without asking. Policies and politics, a political economy, of territorial conquest - of resource acquisition at gun point - under the threat of violence.

I believe that war is not necessary for the legitimate security needs of the people of the USA, nor of anyone.

Instead, war is only necessary to defend what are essentially violent and destructive economic and political policies.

Another world is possible, a world of economic and ecological sustainability and justice, fairness and equity. A world where people treat each other well, and do not exploit each other. A respectful, peaceful, harmonious world where people do not put each other down, nor beat each other up.

Peace is possible!

In other news, there is some political art on display at Northern, an All Ages Venue in downtown Olympia, Washington. I think the art is really great. I recommend checking it out. Here's a short slideshow introduction to some of the works.

You can find more information about the displays and the venue here: Northern | The Olympia All Ages Project.

Olympia-Rafah Mural

Saturday, May 8th, 2010
The Mural Speaks
On Saturday May 8th, dozens of leaves on the new Olympia Rafah Solidarity Mural Project were formally presented. Organizations and individuals from around the world have contributed art work for the leaves, which accompany the mural. During the event, many artists and organizations were on hand to present their leaves. Eventually, many of the leaves will be connected with associated audio explanatory statements.

There's more information at the Olympia-Rafah Mural Project website.

Capitol Theatre Olympia Free Wall

This is a photo of a wall in the alley behind the Capitol Theatre in Olympia, where people are free to paint whatever they want to.


Sunday, April 25, 2010
Olympia, Washington

Space Exploration and Social Distress

Whitey on the Moon by Gil Scot-Heron


Dear President Obama, and Administration,

It is just plain wrong! to spend so much on space exploration in the face of so many problems—so many suffering people—here on planet Earth.

Additionally, all space exploration which is geared toward national dominance is fundamentally anathema to the goal of peace.

Attitudes and behaviors that are rooted in dominance ought to be discarded and go along with full apologies to the afflicted (which includes everyone.)

Thank you for seriously considering my comments, and for taking them to heart.

Yours Truly, Berd

Washington State Capitol

Powerful Sculpture

The expression in this sculpture is just striking to me.


see larger: Untitled Expression

More Photos from the Getty Museum

Trip to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, April 2009

This is one of the amazing views from the Getty Museum in Los Angeles (see large: Getty Center Garden Cafe and Valley Panorama

Here's a slide show with about 100 or so photos from April 2009 during a visit to the Getty Museum:

The Getty Museum

Getty Museum Water Feature

This is at the Getty Museum, Santa Monica, Los Angeles
It's a multi-image composite, and it's from April 2009
view large: Water Feature

Golden Grass

September 2007

mouseover 9/12/2009

Seen Through the Glass at Le Voyeur
(this is a mouseover - try it! move your mouse over the image if you're curious)

Scream!

Skeptical

Senator John McCain and Senator Barak Obama are ready to paint Plutocracy different colors...

Mr. Fish is skeptical, and so am I. Is the system broken? "Of the people by the people for the people?" - We will see.

Plutocracy is defined as a system of rule by the wealthy elite. Is that what we, in the USA, have?


by Mr. Fish

Olympia Arts Walk and Procession of the Species

I spent some time this past weekend taking in the scenery in downtown Olympia, Washington during the Spring Arts Walk and Process of the Species events. Here's a link to some photos: olyblog.net/more-photos

Branches

Breath/Spirit by Kazuaki Tanahashi

www.brushmind.net